戯れ
Meanings
1
play; fun; joke; flirtation
Covers lighthearted play, jesting, or flirtatious behavior. Often used in literary or slightly old-fashioned contexts, but still understood in modern Japanese.
His words were just a joke.
Their playful interaction put the people around them at ease.
Usage patterns
- 戯れに〈動詞〉to do something just for fun / as a joke
I ended up telling a lie just as a joke.
- 〈人〉との戯れflirtation or playful involvement with someone
The flirtation with him didn't last long.